LAMARCK THE ZOOLCGIST 183 
been discarded many years previous. \The great 
reforms in the classification of shells are evidenced 
by the numerous manuals of conchology based on 
the works of Lamarck. 
We used to hear much of the Lamarckian genera 
of shells, and Lamarck was the first to perceive the 
necessity of breaking up into smaller categories the 
few genera of Linné, which now are regarded as 
families. He may be said to have had a wonderfully 
good eye for genera. All his generic divisions were 
at once accepted, since they were based on valid 
characters. 
Though not a comparative anatomist, he at once 
perceived the value of a knowledge of the internal 
structure of animals, and made effective use of the 
discoveries of Cuvier and of his predecessors—in 
fact, basing his system of classification on the 
organs of respiration, circulation, and the nervous 
system. 
He intimated that specific characters vary most, 
and that the peripheral parts of the body, as the 
shell, outer protective structures, the limbs, mouth- 
parts, antenne, etc., are first affected by the causes 
which produce variation, while he distinctly states 
that it requires a longer time for variations to take 
place in the internal organs. On the latter he relied 
in defining his classes. 
One is curious to know how Lamarck viewed the} 
question of species. This is discussed at length by | 
him in his general essays, which are reproduced 
farther on in this biography, but his definition of 
what a species is far surpasses in breadth and terse- 
